COLORADO
- The Aurora school board’s finalists to replace John Barry include two DPS administrators, a former Boulder superintendent and a former state higher education chief. EdNews Colorado
- State senators began work on the state budget, but many details of next year’s education spending have yet to be hammered out. EdNews Colorado
- Legislators will also consider a bill that would restore funding to English language learner programs. AP via CBS Denver
- Colorado’s community colleges are seeking permission from the state to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees. Colorado Statesman
- A new report lists Douglas County as tops in the state for child well-being. Our Colorado News
- St. Vrain Valley schools are seeking sponsors to bring a health program to their students. Times Call
- Two new Facebook pages documenting illegal school activity have sparked concern among Fort Collins parents and administrators. 9News
NATION
- The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a second case involving affirmative action in higher education. Inside Higher Education
- Banks wrote off $3 billion in unpaid student debt early this year, up more than 30 percent from a year ago. KOAA
The emotional draw of prepaid college plans is strong, but families must consider the risks. New York Times - A group of Chicago students protested to demand a moratorium on school closings. Chicago Tribune
OPINION
- Commentary: The federal government should play a larger role in ensuring school finance equity. Washington Post
- Commentary: Even when legal, marijuana poses health risks for teenagers. Pueblo Chieftan
Rise & Shine
Each weekday morning, we search websites of various media, comb through RSS feeds and peruse Google alerts to bring you a roundup of the day’s top education headlines, in Colorado and across the country, by 8 a.m. If you’d like to suggest a story we’ve missed or a source we should add to the list, please email us at ednews@ednewscolorado.org.